word of the shooting reached capitol hill as former arizona congresswoman gabrielle giffords testified at a hearing on gun control. ktvu's scott mcfarlen reports. . >> reporter: several hundred people were here today but it was silent at the very start. >> reporter: when gabrielle giffords walked into the room. >> too many children are dying. too many children. we must do something. >> reporter: congress is considering new gun laws but there is little consensus, the head of the nra said washington better enforce gun laws already on the books. >> violent felons, gang members and drug dealers with guns and the mentally ill are not being prosecuted and that is unacceptable. >> the democrat senators. >> we can't have a totally armed society. >> reporter: talked about better background checks. gabrielle giffords' husband did too. >> my wife would not be sitting here today if we had stronger background checks. >> reporter: his brother was shot and killed in 2003. he wants to reduce violence but little sign of agreement on how to do so. >> up hill battle. fight, fight, fight. we got to keep p